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First glimpse of Ben Simmons-Joel Embiid pairing is ‘terrifying’

BEN Simmons paired with Joel Embiid for the first time today — and it was a frightening glimpse into the rest of the NBA’s future.

Jai BednallJai Bednall
@jaibednall
2 min read
October 12, 2017 - 3:09PM
Brooklyn Nets forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)
Brooklyn Nets forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)

THIS is what Philadelphia 76ers fans have been waiting for.

After years of hardship the Sixers finally saw two of their most prized young assets — Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons — hit the court together.

And it was a scary glimpse into the future of the rest of the league.

The 76ers had been anything but impressive while slumping to a 0-3 record in the preseason. They weren’t competitive in any game.

But today’s outing on Long Island against the Brooklyn Nets marked the return of Embiid, who signed a $190 million contract extension this week despite having played just 59 games since being drafted a few years ago.

If you thought that was an overspend, think again.

The centre played just 15 minutes but put up a monster statline of 22 points, seven rebounds and three assists as the Sixers routed the Nets 133-114.

According to Basketball Reference his 14 made free-throws were the most any player had produced in 15 minutes of court time in more than 30 years as Embiid lived up to the praise Simmons sent his way two days earlier.

“He’s a beast,” said the Aussie, after Embiid’s contract was revealed. “I can’t name one person who’s going to stop him. Honestly, there’s nobody that can compete with him in his position. There’s no one.”

It looked that way against the Nets as the 76ers raced to a 76-51 lead at halftime. Embiid sat early in the third quarter but Simmons continued to pace the team, flirting with a triple double (nine points, eight rebounds, six assists) as they led 112-84 after three.

Simmons said the presence of the big man made his job “way easier”. “Just having him there, he draws so much attention,” Simmons told reporters post-game.

Promising Croatian second-year player Dario Saric also showed his potential — and stroke — by hitting five three-pointers on his way to 26 points and nine boards in 24 minutes.

Veteran shooting guard JJ Redick, who signed from the Clippers during the offseason because of the rosy future he saw for this team, had 18 points.

The third member of the team’s star young trio — this year’s No. 1 pick Markelle Fultz — didn’t play. The 76ers’ final preseason outing is against the Miami Heat on Saturday before their regular season opener in Washington next week.

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Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/sport/basketball/nba/first-glimpse-of-ben-simmonsjoel-embiid-pairing-is-terrifying/news-story/e9b1eb3c5f725b54bdc159e7434b9668